Module 3: "The Slave Trade" and "Abolition"

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words only definitions & notes
  1. domestic
    of concern to or concerning the internal affairs of a nation
    Some Native Americans owned slaves. It was an ancient practice in Africa. But slavery in Africa was a domestic institution.
  2. institution
    a custom that has been an important feature of some group
    Some Native Americans owned slaves. It was an ancient practice in Africa. But slavery in Africa was a domestic institution.
  3. eyewitness
    a spectator who can describe what happened
    Robert Walsh was an eyewitness of a slave ship in action.
  4. scourge
    a whip used to inflict punishment
    Over the hatchway stood a ferocious-looking fellow with a scourge of many twisted thongs in his hand, who was the slavedriver of the ship.…
  5. affliction
    a cause of great suffering and distress
    The last parting sounds we heard from the unhallowed ship were the cries and shrieks of the slaves, suffering under some bodily affliction.
  6. excite
    arouse or elicit a feeling
    One North Carolina law read this way: “The teaching of slaves has a tendency to excite dissatisfaction in their minds. Therefore, any free person who shall teach any slave to read and write shall be liable to indictment. If any slave shall teach, or attempt to teach, any other slave, he or she shall receive thirty-nine lashes on his or her bare back.”
  7. liable
    subject to legal action
    One North Carolina law read this way: “The teaching of slaves has a tendency to excite dissatisfaction in their minds. Therefore, any free person who shall teach any slave to read and write shall be liable to indictment. If any slave shall teach, or attempt to teach, any other slave, he or she shall receive thirty-nine lashes on his or her bare back.”
  8. indictment
    an accusation of wrongdoing
    One North Carolina law read this way: “The teaching of slaves has a tendency to excite dissatisfaction in their minds. Therefore, any free person who shall teach any slave to read and write shall be liable to indictment. If any slave shall teach, or attempt to teach, any other slave, he or she shall receive thirty-nine lashes on his or her bare back.”
  9. abolish
    do away with
    Abolition! Back in 1765 Americans had shouted the word. Before the Revolution it was the hated British stamp tax the colonists wanted to abolish. Then the word began to be used with a new meaning. It was the slave trade some wanted to abolish, and then slavery itself.
  10. legally
    by law; conforming to the law
    When Thomas Jefferson becomes president, he reminds everyone of that, and a law is passed ending the slave trade. Now, no additional people can be enslaved—at least not legally.
  11. interpose
    insert between other elements
    An elated Jefferson said this: “I congratulate you, fellow citizens, on the approach of the period at which you may interpose your authority constitutionally to withdraw the citizens of the United States from all further participation in those violations of human rights which have been so long continued on the unoffending inhabitants of Africa.”
  12. constitutional
    sanctioned by or consistent with or operating under the law
    An elated Jefferson said this: “I congratulate you, fellow citizens, on the approach of the period at which you may interpose your authority constitutionally to withdraw the citizens of the United States from all further participation in those violations of human rights which have been so long continued on the unoffending inhabitants of Africa.”
  13. international
    from or between other countries
    But ending the international slave trade doesn't put an end to slavery itself, which continues to grow by natural increase.
  14. internal
    inside the country
    And within the South a major internal slave trade develops.
  15. profitable
    yielding material gain
    Slavery is a profitable way of life.
  16. economy
    the system of production and distribution and consumption
    Many people argue that if slavery is abolished it will wreck the Southern economy.
  17. prevail
    use persuasion successfully
    “Do you imagine you could prevail on us to give up a thousand million dollars in the value of our slaves, and a thousand million more in the value of our lands?”
  18. immigrant
    a person who comes to a country in order to settle there
    Immigrants and ideas and inventions are beginning to change the North.
  19. industry
    persevering determination to perform a task
    “On the north bank of the Ohio, everything is activity, industry; labor is honored; there are no slaves. Pass to the south bank and the scene changes so suddenly that you think yourself on the other side of the world; the enterprising spirit is gone.”
  20. enterprising
    marked by initiative and readiness to undertake new projects
    “On the north bank of the Ohio, everything is activity, industry; labor is honored; there are no slaves. Pass to the south bank and the scene changes so suddenly that you think yourself on the other side of the world; the enterprising spirit is gone.”
  21. dominate
    be in control
    Both North and South are jealous of political power. Each wants to dominate the government in Washington.
  22. repudiate
    reject as untrue, unfounded, or unjust
    “I repudiate, as ridiculously absurd, that much lauded dogma of Mr. Jefferson that ‘all men are born equal.’ No society has ever yet existed without a natural variety of classes. Slavery is truly the cornerstone and foundation of every well-designed and durable republican edifice.”
  23. durable
    very long lasting
    “I repudiate, as ridiculously absurd, that much lauded dogma of Mr. Jefferson that ‘all men are born equal.’ No society has ever yet existed without a natural variety of classes. Slavery is truly the cornerstone and foundation of every well-designed and durable republican edifice.”
  24. edifice
    a structure that has a roof and walls
    “I repudiate, as ridiculously absurd, that much lauded dogma of Mr. Jefferson that ‘all men are born equal.’ No society has ever yet existed without a natural variety of classes. Slavery is truly the cornerstone and foundation of every well-designed and durable republican edifice.”
  25. moderation
    the quality of avoiding extremes
    “I do not wish to think, or speak, or write with moderation. No! Tell a man whose house is on fire, to give a moderate alarm, but urge me not to use moderation in a cause like the present. I am in earnest—I will not retreat a single inch—and I WILL BE HEARD.”
Created on Fri Aug 14 10:19:33 EDT 2020 (updated Fri Aug 21 09:24:56 EDT 2020)

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